World Languages

National Standards for Foreign Language Learning

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Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. The United States must educate students who are linguistically and culturally equipped to communicate successfully in a pluralistic American society and abroad. This imperative envisions a future in which ALL students will develop and maintain proficiency in English and at least one other language, modern or classical. Children who come to school from non-English backgrounds should also have opportunities to develop further proficiencies in their first language.

-Statement of Philosophy, Standards for Foreign Language Learning

National Standards
Communication Communicate in languages other than English Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics. Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.   Cultures Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied. Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.   Connections Connect with other disciplines and acquire information Standard 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language. Standard 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.		Comparisons Develop insight into the nature of language and culture Standard 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own. Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.   Communities Participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting. Standard 5.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

Best Practices for Teaching and Learning in the World Languages Classroom

The World Language Curriculum Committee recommends world language pedagogical practices be consistent with the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning (1996) and focus on the five content standards: Communication, Connections, Comparisons, Cultures, and Communities.

» Students are encouraged to use all levels of thinking skills, e.g., they repeat, recognize and recall as well as apply, create, and predict.

» The teacher and students use a variety of print and non-print materials including authentic target language sources.

» The teacher and students are not text-bound throughout instructional time.  The text is used as an instructional tool within the curriculum.

» The teacher and students communicate purposefully in the target language as listeners, speakers, readers, writers and viewers.

»  The teacher uses specific error correction in activities that focus on accuracy and little or no error correction in activities that focus on communication.

» Instruction includes a combination of student-centered and teacher-centered activities.  Activities involve student to student interactions as well as teacher to student interactions.  Students work independently, in pairs, and in groups. Students ask and answer questions and use the language for spontaneous communication.

» The teacher models positive attitudes toward cultural diversity.

» Culture is a natural component of instruction.

» The physical environment reflects the target language and culture.

» The learning environment encourages students to express themselves in the target language.